Shiretoko Peninsula

Shiretoko Peninsula is a long one extending about 70 km toward
northeast like a horn.
The tip of the peninsula is Cape Shiretoko.

Whole peninsula is mountainous, and there are several
volcanoes as much as 1,500 meters high. Then some hot springs are
dotted.

It is a tresure house of primary forests, wild animals and birds, so
the northeastern half of peninsula was designated national park in
1964, and was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005.

Generally Shari town on northwestern base of the peninsula is the
gateway to Shiretoko.

And there are two small towns, Utoro and Rausu, in the middle of the
peninsula, and they are the base of touring around Shiretoko.
Utoro is on the side of Okhotsk Sea, and Rausu is on the side of Nemuro
Strait.

From Utoro, pleasure ship is operated, and it sails along the north
coast of the peninsula.
It takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to visit Cape Shiretoko, and it takes 1
hour and 30 minutes to visit around Mount Iou.

The northwest side
of the peninsula

Oshinkoshin
Waterfall /1/ : It is a waterfall
located about 25 km northeast of Shari town, and is near the coast.
The flow split with a rock, and the water is falling down on the wall
of rock swiftly.

Utoro /2/ : It is the main town in Shiretoko
located 5 km northeast of Oshinkoshin waterfall.
It is also a hot spring resort, then there are several hotels. And the
sightseeing ship to Cape Shiretoko
leaves from here.

Oronko-iwa /3/ : It is a huge rocky hill near
Utoro port. It is 60 meters high, and we can climb to the top. We hear
that the natives called "Orokko" had lived in old times, then it seemes
that this rock is named after the natives.

Yuhidai /4/ : It is a nice spot for viewing the
sunset, and is located in the camp site at the east end of Utoro town.

Cape Puyuni
/5/ : It is a scenic
overlook located 3 km northeast of Utoro. It is at the side of the
road,
and we can see the Utoro town and the sunset over Okhotsk Sea.
Real cape is located about 1 km north of this point.

Furepe
Waterfall /6/ : It is located 4 km
northeast of Utoro and is near real Cape Puyuni.
Groundwater falls down through the crevice on the cliff. The volume of
water is low, so it is called "Otome-no-Namida" which means "Drops of
maiden tears".

Shiretoko-goko
lakes /7/ : It is located 10 km
northeast of Utoro. There are 5 small lakes in the primary forest.
There is a walking trail passing through all lakes, and we can also
select the route passing through only the First and Second lakes. It
takes about an hour to visit all lakes, and about half an hour to visit
only two lakes.
We can feel a peace of the woods and may meet various wild animals.
But brown bears sometimes appear, then the trail is closed.

Kamuiwakka
hot waterfall /8/ : It is a hot waterfall located 6km
northeast of Shiretoko-goko.
Hot water is sprung from the hillside of Mt. Shiretoko-Iouzan which is
an active volcano, and runs into Kamuiwakka river.
Some tourists often bathe in this hot river.

Shiretoko
Pass /9/ : It is a pass on the
route between Utoro and Rausu town on the southeast coast.
It is located at the level of about 740 meters. Mount Rause (1660m),
which is the highest mountain in Shiretoko peninsula, towers before us.
If it is fine, we can see Kunashiri island over Nemuro Strait in the
distance.

Cape
Shiretoko /10/ : It is a cape
located on the tip of the peninsula.
The surrounding cape is designated as nature protected area, then
general tourists cannot enter here.
But we can see this cape only from sea on the sightseeing ship.Shiretoko
Tourist Ship

The southeast side
of the peninsula

Rausu
Kunashiri
Observatory /11/ : It is an observatory located 5 km
west of Rausu town and is on the hillside.
From here we can see Rausu town and Kunashiri island.

Makkausu Cave
/12/ : It is a cave located about 1.5 km
northeast of Rausu town.
Luminous mosses grows wild in this cave. This is the greatst habitat of
them in Japan.

Scenic or Nature / Park or Garden / Resort / City, Town or Village / Quarter or Street / Temple or Shrine / Museum or Laboratory / Market or Commercial facility / Factory / Other Building or Construction / Historic place / Remains / World Heritage Site

How to get to here

By
railroad and route bus (to Utoro)

By train on JR Senmou Line, go
to Shiretoko-Shari station.
From Abashiri, it takes about 45-50 minutes. But it is inconvenient to
start from Kushiro.

Then by route bus, from the
Shiretoko-Shari station to Utoro, it takes 50 minutes.
To Shiretoko-goko, Kamuiwakka and Rausu, route buses start from Utoro.

By
airplane and route bus (to Rausu)

By airplane, about 1 hour and
40 minutes from Haneda Airport (Tokyo).

By route bus, about 6 minutes
from the airport to Nakashobetsu bus terminal.
Then by other bus, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the bus terminal to
Rausu.